China Applies for World Semiconductor Council Membership

Staff Reporter -- Electronic News, 6/14/2006

In a move that is expected to strengthen the world semiconductor market, the China Semiconductor Industry Association (CSIA) has accepted an invitation to apply for membership in the World Semiconductor Council (WSC), an international organization of industry associations from the major semiconductor-producing countries of the world.

Until now, the WSC represented semiconductor organizations in Europe, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and the United States. Its hand was extended to China in May during the council’s 10th anniversary meeting.  

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today hailed the CSIA decision to apply for membership, as active involvement by a China industry association would benefit members and increase the effectiveness of the WSC’s efforts to grow the industry and promote free and open markets throughout the world.

"We strongly support the China Semiconductor Industry Association's application for membership in the World Semiconductor Council," said Brian Halla, SIA chairman, in a statement. "China is now the world's largest and fastest-growing major semiconductor market and therefore has a large stake in future growth of the microchip industry. China's domestic semiconductor industry would benefit from active involvement in the WSC, which has become an increasingly important forum for cooperation to protect intellectual property, eliminate trade barriers, lower costs to consumers, and preserve the environment."

Today's announcement was made at a joint signing ceremony held by the WSC and the CSIA in Beijing. Also in the city, the SIA held its first-ever board of directors meeting in Beijing today.